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The death of Nicol Williamson puts into relief the depth of British acting talent

January 26 2012, 12:01am, The Times

John Osborne — in whose semi-autobiographical play, Inadmissible Evidence, Nicol Williamson staked his claim to being the most exciting and dangerous actor of his generation — hailed Williamson as “the greatest actor since Marlon Brando”.

Now news of Williamson’s death (see obituary, page 51) helps to snap into focus something too easily overlooked: namely that the British stage has spawned several of the greatest actors since Marlon Brando. Women too, certainly; among them the stage Dames, Maggie Smith, Helen Mirren and Judi Dench, whom many consider the finest stage actor that Britain has produced of either sex.

But amid the hullaballoo of the Oscars, at a time when the golden age of the stage is measured in memorable Gielguds and Oliviers and Richardsons and Williamsons,…